This copycat taco seasoning mix is a great healthy substitution for the packets that you buy in the store. It's easy to make (less than 5 minutes) using all-natural ingredients with spices right out of your pantry! Hooray for that - let's make it!
Why You'll Love This Healthy Taco Seasoning
"I have been making this homemade taco seasoning mix recipe for years as it is super simple, healthier, and cheaper. I love that I know that I am putting real ingredients in my family's food." -Kori
If you love tacos, be sure to make this Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe. If you are making fajitas give this fajita seasoning mix a try! Both are low carb, gluten free, keto-friendly, and can be made sugar-free.
Super Easy
Make your own! Homemade taco seasoning is super easy to make! Like, less than 5 minutes easy to make. More than likely, you will have these ingredients in your pantry already too! Make extra to store and keep on hand for later.
Natural Ingredients
Have you ever read the ingredients on the back of a taco seasoning packet? Do you really want to eat this stuff? Can someone tell me why coloring need to be added? I call these "unpronounceable" ingredients.
Whey onion, modified corn starch, salt, sugar, paprika, garlic, natural flavors with oleoresin paprika (for color), silicon dioxide (anticaking agent), spices including chili pepper, caramel color (contains sodium bisulfite), disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate.
Do you really want to eat this stuff? You don't need to anymore - let's make your own!
It's Healthy
This is a healthy, low-carb, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy free, and keto taco seasoning recipe. No unhealthy "unpronounceable ingredients" are used!
Low Carb Taco Seasoning Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this low carb taco seasoning mix. Full ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below 🙂
- Chili Powder
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Granulated Sugar Substitute or Regular Sugar
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika - I used regular paprika in this recipe but frequently use smoked paprika. It adds an amazing smoky flavor!
- Cayenne Pepper - I used ground cayenne pepper but you could also use crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
- Kosher Salt - I use this kosher salt brand, which is less salty than table salt. If you use table salt, use slightly less and adjust it to your taste preference.
- Ground Black Pepper
- Optional thickener: 1 teaspoon cornstarch (or substitute ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later! 😉
Keto Taco Seasoning Recipe Variations
- This taco seasoning recipe is mild. To make it spicier, add more ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.
- Make it green taco seasoning by using green chili powder in place of the red chili powder.
- Make it smoky! Use chipotle powder (will add spicy heat too) or smoked paprika.
- If desired, eliminate the sugar substitute or regular sugar. The sweetness is used to counterbalance the spices, but it is not essential.
How To Make Taco Seasoning
Each recipe makes the equivalent of one Taco Bell taco seasoning packet.
- In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together.
- Use wherever a taco seasoning packet is called for. Store in an air-tight container for up to 6 months.
Note: This version is mild, but you can definitely add cayenne pepper to increase the heat. Actually, feel free to play around with any of the seasoning quantities to your liking.
Making Taco Meat
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey, pork).
- Once ground meat is done cooking, drain the grease.
- Add taco seasoning along with ¾ cup of water. Bring to a rapid simmer and cook until the water reduces and the mixture thickens to your desired consistency, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. (Image 4)
How To Use It
- 1 prepared taco seasoning mix recipe = 1 store bought packet
- Use 1 recipe per pound of meat.
- Use any ground meat - ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork.
- Make tacos! Mexican Ground Beef Recipe or Shrimp Tacos
- Use it in soup! Creamy Beef Taco Soup or Chicken Fajita Soup
- Make zucchini taco boats, taco stuffed peppers, or zucchini ground beef taco casserole.
Top Tips For The Best Taco Seasoning Mix
- I often triple or quadruple the recipe and store in an airtight container to have on hand for future recipes! When you want to use your large batch seasoning in a recipe, use approximately 4 tablespoons of the mixture for each pound of meat or seasoning packet called for. Use more if needed.
- For best flavor use the freshest dried spices as possible - especially if you plan on making a large batch of this to store for later.
- Adjust any seasoning to your taste preferences - make it spicier make it milder, etc. It's your recipe feel free to play around with it.
FAQs
Each recipe is different, but in this one, we use chili powder, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, ground black pepper, and a sugar substitute.
We also call for xanthan gum as an optional thickener. It is not required. The sugar substitute can be omitted as well.
A store-bought taco seasoning packet usually calls for ¾ cup water. This homemade recipe also uses ¾ cup.
This recipe should be used with 1 pound of meat. Double the recipe for 2 pounds of meat. Most store-bought seasoning packets call for 1 pound of meat. So you will need 2 packets for 2 pounds of meat.
When making tacos you do not need to mix the taco seasoning with water first. After draining the ground meat, return it to the skillet, then add water and the taco seasoning mix. Mix it all then simmer until the sauce is reduced and thickened.
Whether you buy a store-bought taco seasoning packet or make our healthy homemade recipe, the instructions are the same. Here are the taco seasoning packet instructions:
1. In a large skillet brown 1 pound of ground beef over medium high heat.
2. Once cooked, drain the grease. Return beef to the skillet and add seasoning packet and ¾ cup water.
3. Bring to a simmer and cook until water starts to evaporate and the sauce thickens to your liking.
This taco seasoning recipe is keto-friendly. Many store-bought taco seasoning packets are not.
Each recipe is different, but this taco seasoning recipe has only 2.6 grams of carbohydrates (1.4 net carbs)
There is 1 ounce of taco seasoning in a packet, which is about 2 tablespoons of seasoning mix.
You should use ⅔ cup water for each taco seasoning packet. If using our taco seasoning recipe, ⅔ to ¾ cup of water is used.
For every 1 pound ground beef, use 2 tablespoons of store-bought taco seasoning mix, or our entire recipe.
If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get healthy fresh recipe ideas every week!
Healthy Low Carb Keto Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to your liking
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute can be omitted
- Optional thickener: 1 teaspoon cornstarch (or substitute ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon xantham gum
Instructions
How To Make Taco Seasoning Mix
- In a small bowl combine all ingredients.
- Store in an airtight container for later use or following instructions below to make taco meat.
How To Make Taco Meat
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 lb ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey, pork).
- Once ground meat is done cooking, drain the grease.
- Add taco seasoning along with ¾ cup of water. Bring to a rapid simmer and cook until the water reduces and the mixture thickens to your desired consistency, approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Video
Kori's Tips
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- SUBSTITUTIONS: Adjust any seasoning to your taste. Omit the sugar substitute if desired. This is a mild taco seasoning mix - add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper to increase the spicy heat. Enjoy!
- TOP TIPS: Use the freshest dried ingredients for best taste, especially if you plan to double or triple the recipe for future use. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Use in your favorite taco or burrito recipe. Here are a few recipes that use this taco seasoning mix recipe: Green Chicken Enchiladas Soup, Shrimp Tacos, Taco Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!
Nutrition
© 2024 Seeking Good Eats™
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
- Seafood Enchiladas
- Carne Enchiladas
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup (Keto Slow Cooker Mexican Soup)
- Easy Fresh Homemade Guacamole
- Skillet Chicken Fajitas Bake (Low Carb and Keto)
- Skinny Lemon Mojito Recipe
- Crockpot Chicken Fajita Soup (Low Carb and Keto Soup Recipe)
Janell Brown
This is very good. I used this tonight in my chicken and pineapple quesadillas and it was delicious! I used 1 1/2 Tbsp for 5 chopped small chicken breast tenderloins. I saved the rest to use later. Don't think I will ever buy taco seasoning again. Thank you.
Kori
Oh, that sounds just amazing and delicious!! Thank you for giving the recipe a try. I am definitely making chicken and pineapple quesadillas!! Great idea! 🙂
Debbie Knudslien
Do you drain the ground beef before adding the seasoning, or just use that added fat for more flavor?
seekinggoodeats
You can do either! 🙂 I typically don't drain it but I am following a keto diet. It does add more flavor. If you're following a lower-fat diet you can certainly drain the fat.
Tibby
So I use this whole recipe for 1 pound of beef?! Over 4 tablespoons of seasoning seems like a ton!! LOL
seekinggoodeats
Hello! Yep. 1 recipe for every pound of ground beef! 🙂
Tibby
Thank you😊
seekinggoodeats
You are welcome 🙂 Have a good day
Elizabeth
My sister is making this tonight. Looking forward to tasting it!
Xylitol is another sugar sub and is sweeter than
Erythritol.
Symantha Bonham
I cannot wait to make this!! What is xantham gum? And where do I purchase it?
seekinggoodeats
Oh great! Be sure to make extra and store some for later! 🙂 Xanthan gum is a gluten-free keto-friendly thickener. A little goes a long way. Usually you won't need more than 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon in a recipe. I get it from Amazon, here's the link: xanthan gum